Political career[edit source | edit]

A younger Barry Goldwater, Jr.

In April 1969, Goldwater ran his first race for Congress representing northern Los Angeles County. He won that race for the 91st Congress and was reelected for six consecutive terms. During his time in Washington Goldwater served on several committees such as the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, the Joint Committee on Energy, and the Committee on Science and Technology.

During his tenure Goldwater drafted legislation that addressed issues that are still topics of debate today. The Privacy Act of 1974, which prevents the distribution of private information from government and businesses, is one of the best known laws of which he drafted.

With his district merged with that of Bobbi Fiedler due to redistricting, Goldwater ran for the Republican nomination to the United States Senate in 1982. Goldwater lost that race to Pete Wilson due to what Goldwater labeled "partisan mudslinging" which linked his name to a congressional drug use scandal that Goldwater was found not to be involved in. During that time Goldwater did seek help from a treatment center in Wickenburg, Arizona for an admitted drinking problem which he overcame. His term in office expired in January, 1983.

On November 16, 2007, Goldwater publicly endorsed Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas for the GOP nomination in 2008.[1]

On January 5, 2008, Goldwater announced his decision to go to New Hampshire to campaign for Ron Paul[2] after Paul's 10% showing in the Iowa caucuses, held on January 3, 2008. His efforts helped Paul garner 8% of the vote in New Hampshire. He also spoke in support of Ron Paul at the Kansas GOP caucus.

On September 4, 2008, a list of electors in Louisiana using the label "Louisiana Taxpayers Party" paid $500 and filed papers[3] with the Secretary of State's Office[3] to get on the ballot. They were pledged to Ron Paul for President and to Goldwater for Vice President.[3] Goldwater Jr. received 9,368 votes for Vice-President in Louisiana, coming in third place in the popular vote.[4]

Business career[edit source | edit]

After retiring from politics, Goldwater moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career in the financial sector, specializing in security law and underwriting. His clients were major U.S. banks and insurance companies. Goldwater became a member of the New York Stock Exchange and a partner in what is now Wedbush Securities (formerly Noble Cook, Inc.)

He has served on the board of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. He is also currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Goldwater Institute. The Goldwater Institute is a nonprofit political think tank which studies and publishes findings on public policies that align with the conservative values promoted by Goldwater’s father. Goldwater supported legislation and policies generally embrace economic independence, individual rights, and a restriction of governmental powers.

Goldwater maintains his contact with Republican and Democratic leaders, as well as celebrity activists, while he continues to champion the conservative political movement started by his father. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association and is currently director of the National Collector's Mint.

References[edit source | edit]

^ abcWinger, Richard. Louisiana Asked to Print Ron Paul on Ballot as Presidential Candidate. Ballot Access News, 2008-09-04. Accessed 2008-09-08. "On September 4, a slate of presidential electors was filed at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, in person. The electors are pledged to Ron Paul for president, and former Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr., for vice-president. The partisan label for this slate is “Louisiana Taxpayers Party.” The filing, and the $500 was accepted* * *"